On the night after Thanksgiving last year, David Clarkson's season changed.

Hit by a Zdeno Chara slap shot on Nov. 27, Clarkson suffered a fracture above his ankle and a severe contusion that knocked him out of action for 13 games until late December. He returned, only to go back on the shelf for another 23 games until mid-February.

But that was not on his mind when Clarkson walked in TD Garden today for the Devils' morning skate. It was his first visit to the building since his injury.

"I don't really think about it, to be honest with you," he said. "It stunk last year, but that was last year. I don't think about it when I walk into this building. It's not something that goes through my mind at all."

What goes through Clarkson's mind these days is trying to help the Devils get their season back on track. His role as a physical right winger who can control the puck down low in the offensive zone is vital to the team's success.

"The last few games what I've been happy with is he's protecting the puck," coach John MacLean said. "I thought the last few games he got really good at it, winning those battles. That's his game."

For a brief time this season, he seemed to forget.

"I think it's something I have to do," Clarkson acknowledged. "I don't know if I got away from it. I was reminded. They've spoken to me and said, 'We need you to control the puck lower.'"

Clarkson doesn't like to talk about it, but he's also assumed the role of Devils enforcer in his own way. He's not a heavyweight brawler, but he stands up for terammates and is willing to fight to change the momentum in games.

He did in Friday night against the Oilers when he fought Zack Stortini with the Devils trailing, 2-0. It wasn't a great time for it, but the Devils killed off his instigating minor and fighting major.

"Clarkie's a tough kid," MacLean said. "Sometimes those things happen. He's a character kid. The response from our team was we killed those penalties off. I can't complain about the timing."

Does he have to fight?

"No. I'll fight when needed," Clarkson said, "but I don't feel any extra pressure to go out there and fight."

The Devils don't have a true enforcer, but do they need one with players like Clarkson?

"Some teams do," MacLean said. "Right now I think we're fine.

"I'm not putting that (designated fighter) on (Clarkson). He plays hard. I'[m not expecting him to fight every night. I expect him to compete every night."

* * *

Martin Brodeur will start in goal for the Devils against Tim Thomas. Brodeur was at TD Garden but did not skate. He said his bruised right elbow is fine.

Olivier Magnan, hit by a Brian Rolston shot in practice, will play and use extra padding in his skate.

Matt Corrente said he has been protecting his fractured left hand in practice and won't go looking for a fight.

* * *

MacLean on Islanders coach Scott Gordon being fired: "I knew stuff like that happens before I got in this. It's unfortunate for Scott. We know that's part of this business."

Bruins coach Claude Julien has been through it, but has seemingly found a secure home in Boston since the Devils let him go.

"I think it's been a good fit for me, it really has," Julien said today. "And I've felt very comfortable here. But it's one of those situations where you move on, you've got a different place to work and things fall into place.

"I think when I came here there was a lot more to gain than to lose. And that first year we really-- with all the injuries, specially the one to Bergeron-- we were kind of in a rebuilding mode and trying to find the direction that we wanted to go with."

Could that be the case with the Devils this season?

"Every year you've got these kind of things where you're surprised at certain teams," Julien said. "I don't think I have to lobby for them (the Devils), but I know they've had a lot of tough luck. They've had some key injuries and haven't had their whole team together.

"As we say, every team has its issues and it's how you deal with them that makes the difference. So here I am dealing with our issues. So I can't reall comment on (MacLean's)."